was like to have a home filled with chaos and love.
Now he had a baby and a woman when all he’d ever known was duty to his job above all else. To be caught ten seconds after going down on me by his deputy must’ve been horrifying. No wonder he’d freaked out and told me to hide, as stupid and irritating as that was.
Luna stopped arranging my dress and sighed, gripping my shoulders. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”
I didn’t even look around me to see if we were being overheard. There hadn’t been many people in the store when I came in, but I’d been here for the better part of an hour, and voices were now a steady hum in the main part of the shop.
I simply didn’t care.
“Yes.” I reached up to clutch my necklace. “And the worst thing is I think he might love me too.”
Luna narrowed her eyes. “Have you been drinking?”
I released a half laugh as I sank onto a nearby ottoman. The toes of my white boots peeked out beneath my dress and I admired them in the mirror for a moment before I motioned her closer. “We are both hopeless with this stuff.” I lowered my voice. “It’s probably a miracle the sex is so good, and we didn’t break each other’s noses or something.”
“Wait, what? What sex? You didn’t say there was sex.”
“Shh.” I didn’t mind sharing my truth, but I preferred not to take out a billboard. “Not actual sex. We didn’t get that far. But we—”
“Oh. Ohh. So, that’s what happened with Christian.”
I frowned. “You know?”
“I work on Main Street, hello.” She gestured around her. “Kinleigh’s shop is a hub for activity and tall tales. For this one, people didn’t give many details. I think because he wears a badge. Almost the same as a man of the cloth. Requires hushed, reverent voices.”
“He’s really really reverent. Like…so reverent.”
Luna’s eyes widened. “That good?”
I had to tell someone before I burst. “He was not stingy. At all.” I held up two fingers on one hand and formed a zero with fingers on my other hand. “All me.”
“You didn’t even reciprocate? You should’ve sent him flowers. I mean, yay you, but wow, that’s harsh.”
“Oh, I would’ve. Believe me. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted a co—oh, hey, Mrs. Gunderson,” I said brightly as the older woman—and inveterate gossip hound—shuffled over to us.
“You did me dirty, Regina.”
“I did?”
“I asked you about that pool and you said no. I knew no Ramos girl would lie to me, so I only bet ten dollars on yes. Just in case. Macy Gideon won the whole darn thing. I think she bet 500 dollars. She can probably buy a new car now.”
I choked and Luna rubbed my back. “Who officiates these things?”
“What do you mean?”
“Someone can’t win money until the act has been done, right?”
Mrs. Gunderson rubbed her chin. “I suppose. But we all know about the lookout. We’re in the bonus round now.”
I never thought I’d be able to grin in such a situation, but I did as I rose. “Nope. No deed done. We were just talking.”
“Hmpfh.” She toddled away before pivoting to look me up and down. “You look beautiful. I hope he finally seals the deal. But I’m going to get those results thrown out and up my spend.”
Luna shook her head. “This town is intense. Are there pools for getting knocked up too?”
“No, that’s a sucker’s bet for most. Since practically everyone of childbearing age gets knocked up in the Cove.”
Except me.
“Uh oh. Is that why you didn’t get the deed done? Worried about early parenthood?”
If only. “Well, if this thing works out with Jared, that’ll happen anyway. He better tell everyone else he hasn’t yet about you know who. Or maybe the whole town already knows because of what happened at the lookout point.”
“I don’t think so. I haven’t heard anyone mention the kid. Pretty sure the possibility of seeing the sheriff butt naked took precedence.”
“Heck, I haven’t even seen him naked yet. Get in line, people. How did they find out? I can’t believe Christian would spill.”
“Old Man Roy was walking Petey. He claimed he hid by a tree when Christian pulled up. He heard them talking and saw you in the passenger seat. Didn’t you get this story at the diner?”
“No. I pulled a double yesterday so I could take off tonight for the tree lighting and tomorrow for my sister’s baby shower. I didn’t have a chance